Here is a brief history and some information about the renovation of Fire Station #5 provided by Division Chief Thomas Janetske. It's quite fascinating! Tours of the renovated fire station will be held at the grand opening on Feburary 27 from 3pm to 5pm.
Built more than 50 years ago, Old Fire Station 5 on Central Street housed multiple firefighters and equipment over the years. The physical space as well as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems was no longer efficient and reliable. The space itself proved unable to support a modern and diverse workforce. Lastly, only two of the Department’s fire engines were able to "fit" into the low profile apparatus doors.
Fire Station #5 was a total renovation of a 1950’s era one‐story fire station building consisting of the demolition and removal of the existing structure and subsequent reconstruction ofa new 14,260 square foot facility on the same site. The fully sprinklered, updated station design provides three new apparatus bays including one drive‐thru bay. There is a two‐story living area with dorms, kitchen, a work‐out area, office space and a basement for utilities. The new station is compatible with modern requirements and today’s technology and is the City’s first LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building which is a green building rating system. As a result of the LEEDs certification, the City of Evanston received a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Grant Program.
The architect for the building was Muller and Muller Architects, Chicago, Illinois. CATH Associates Inc. (an Evanston firm) acted as the owner representative, working closely with the City of Evanston’s Facilities Manager and the Fire Department staff during the construction of this fcility. The general contractor for the project was Central Lakes Construction out of Prospect Heights.
Groundbreaking for Nw Fire Station 5 took place in 2007. Built at a cost of $4.7 million andalmost 2 ½ times the size of the facility it replaces, the new station opened for service on January 12, 2009. Fire Station 5 is staffed around the clock with 3 firefighter/paramedics. The staffed advanced life support engine company supports the City’s responses to more than 9,000 calls for service annually.
